Q. I was invited a good friend’s wedding and came down with either food poisoning or a stomach flu the day before the wedding. I called to cancel. My friend was angry that I wasn’t there for her, and a month later I received a bill for my portion of the food. Was I wrong to cancel? Was she right in sending the bill?

A. Although she was understandably disappointed, your friend should not have been angry. You were being considerate in not exposing her and her guests to your germs. A host should never send a bill to invited guests who, at the last minute, were unable to attend for whatever reason.

Q. What do you do if you’re in a business setting and someone sneezes directly into his hands and then wants to shake your hand? How do you get out of it without looking rude?

A. Although etiquette requires sneezing into a tissue, one should not refuse to shake hands with someone who has sneezed into his hands. It is not your place to bring attention to his faux pas. Instead, shake hands graciously and discreetly wipe your hands on a tissue or napkin and/or excuse yourself to wash your hands.